The European Commission proposed strengthening the European Union ban on seal product trade, closing previous loopholes and appearing to bring it into compliance with recommendations from the World Trade Organization.

Humane Society International/Canada applauded the Canadian government and the European Union for working to ensure an exemption for products of traditional Inuit seal hunts, included in the 2009 EU ban on commercial seal product trade, is applied fairly to all Inuit communities.

HSI praised the Swiss Council of States, the upper house of the Swiss federal legislature, for approving a bill to prohibit seal product trade. The decision follows a 2012 vote by the Swiss National Council (the lower house of the federal legislature) in favour of banning seal products.

In the wake of an admission by Canadian Fisheries Minister Gail Shea that animal advocates had essentially succeeded in preventing Canada’s bid to sell seal meat in China from going through, HSUS President & CEO Wayne Pacelle reviewed recent HSI victories in China.

Rebecca Aldworth, executive director of Humane Society International/Canada, responded to speculation that another government bailout of Carino Company Ltd, a Norwegian-owned seal fur processor in Newfoundland, could be pending.

The Court of Justice of the European Union preserved the European Union’s ban on commercial seal product trade when it dismissed an appeal by commercial sealing and fur trade interests and some Inuit representatives.

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Contributions to Humane Society International are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law in your country. HSI's tax identification number is 52-1769464. Donations made from the UK: HSI UK is registered in England and Wales as charity number 1098925, company number 4610194. Donations made from the Netherlands: HSI UK is regarded as an ANBI Charity under Dutch Fiscal Number 8241.63.072. Donations made in Canada: donations to HSI Canada are not tax-deductible. Non-profit organizations in Canada that lobby to change government policy are generally denied charitable status.